AMA Racing Champions

2012 was a great year for AMA and ATVA competition. Here, some of the national champions and top competitors talk about the 2012 season, look ahead to the 2013 season, and explain why AMA and ATVA competition is the best racing on the planet. No other No. 1 plate matters.

2012:

John Tejchma: 2012 AMA Vintage 250 Hot Shoe Champion

"Steve Bromley from Pennsylvania was my toughest competitor. He kept me trying harder and traveling to all the tracks. I could see this wasn't going to be easy because most of the tracks we raced at ha had ridden in the past. I won the Daytona Short Track but fell behind finishing second in some of the races and winning others" said Tejchma.

He has been racing for 14 years. In 1970 he raced Amateur, Novice Pro in 1971 and '72, Junior Pro in 1973-'75 and Expert Pro in 1976-'80. Tejchma returned to racing in 2009 and has been competing at the Amateur level since then.

"The vintage series is awesome," Tejchma said. "One neat thing is the wide range of ages of the racers. Some of the bikes are some that my heroes rode and other bikes were from my era. Don Miller and the AMA has set very good spec and fair and clear rules in the vintage classes. We also get to ride at some of the best tracks."

For the 2013 season Tejchma plans to run as many AMA vintage races as possible and also plans to compete in certain D14 races at the tracks he likes.

The 2013 season may also be his last racing season.

"Running at most all the Vintage National Championship Series tracks last year about wore me out; mentally, physically, and financially. hey I'm 61 years old!" said Tejchma.

When he isn't racing, Tejchma and his wife enjoy camping, sailing and hanging out at the beach on Lake Michigan.

"I would like to thank my bike owner, tuner, and mentor, Tom Bethke. He was the person that got me to come back racing. He started the fire in me to go after the D14 Championships and then the Vintage National Championship. Also, I would like to thank my sponsors; ADES Collision Service, A-2-Z Auto, The Storage Group, Fruitport Automotive, West Michigan Vault Co., Mike's Landing Restaurant, C&C Cycle, Getty Street Grill, my Mom-Marge Tejchma, Jerry Tejchma, Tom Tejchma, Cathy Tejchma, Stan Johnson, Dave Soderstorm and Dick Shafer," said Tejchma.

"I would like to say, 2012 was the best racing season I have ever experienced. Going into the last race at Cuddebackville, knowing that the only chance to win the Championship was to win the race. My wife, Marie, was there with me and she knew how important winning the race and the Championship was to me. It was a dream that I have had for a very long time. Celebrating the win was very special for both of us, I just hope every racer could experience that feeling.

"I would also like to thank Don Miller, Joe Bromley, Ken Sailant, Steve Nace, Square Deal Motorcycle Club and everyone at the AMA that has anything to do with Vintage Racing and the awesome Banquet," said Tejchma.